Operation Sayf al-Amal

Operation Sayf al-Amal ("Sword of Hope") was a Syrian Arab Army military operation that was carried out in northern Aleppo Governorate against the Islamic State from 2 to 6 January 2017 during the Syrian Civil War. The Syrian government forces suffered heavy losses after facing heavy ISIL resistance, but they eventually succeeded in capturing the Barlehiyah Refinery.

Background
The end of the Battle of Aleppo in December 2016 allowed for the Syrian Arab Army to push northwards against the Syrian Opposition forces and the Islamic State extremists, and the SAA planned to launch a major offensive against the ISIL terrorists to the south of al-Bab before Turkey and the rebels could occupy the area. The SAA gathered 2,500 troops, including several armored regiments and special forces, and they prepared for a massive offensive against the ISIL forces. The local ISIL forces consisted of around 2,000 fighters, and they were equipped with similar weaponry, using captured Soviet-made Syrian tanks and guns. The Syrian Army aimed to capture the vital oil refinery near Barlehiyah, as well as cleansing the area of ISIL's presence.

Operation
The Syrian forces launched a massive armored and infantry assault into the Barlehiyah area, using BMPs, BTRs, and Soviet tanks. The ISIL militants set up anti-tank positions to the north of the refinery, and they also sent in several large waves of fighters and armored vehicles to fight back against the SAA troops. The two sides engaged in fierce combat on both sides of the refinery, which was captured by the Syrian government forces at the start of the battle. A dozen Syrian armored vehicles were destroyed by ISIL tanks as they moved to provide support for the Syrian infantrymen, and the ISIL militants eventually managed to take the refinery. The Syrians would struggle, as their momentum was stalled. However, a massive Syrian armored counterattack, using BMP-60s and T-60s, succeeded in pushing the ISIL forces back. The refinery was recaptured, and the Syrians managed to defend it from ISIL counterattacks. The Syrian government won a great victory, recapturing the town and the refinery. However, they had achieved it at a great loss of life, suffering heavy losses in the battle.